Jairon's Bright Idea

A Chevening Scholar has proven his leadership potential, by winning an entrepreneurial competition in London.

Jairon Francisco, who hails from the Dominican Republic, is currently studying at the Kingston University and opted to enter their annual 'Bright Ideas' competition.

Applicants are required to put forward innovative, exciting and inspiring ideas which they think can make a difference to the world we live in. More than 600 students applied, and after going through several rounds of competition, Jairon made it to the final 10.

It was here, in the final, where he was required to pitch his idea face to face with a panel of investors and judges. His idea, which was to use fermentation to recover the bioprodcts of coffee production and then use them to increase production on farms, was praised by the panel, and Jairon was awarded first place, and a prize pot of £1000, in the Science and Technology category.

After receiving his prize, Jairon was delighted with his win:

'I feel so great that I did it,' he said.

'My idea provides an environmental solution for the waste management in coffee production, and also produces higher earnings for smallholder farmers around the world.

'I've received dozens of messages from people who are inspired by what I have achieved, and I'm really happy to share this idea with the world.'